Syndicate Review

The original Syndicate in 1993 with its unique look.

For younger readers, Syndicate became a very highly regarded game after its 1933 release. It played amazingly, sounded brilliant and looked really unique with an appearance unlike any other game of that time. The game that got itself a place as a great of the early nineties has been dormant for more than ten years until now with the newly released first person shooter adaptation.



Plot
The plot in Syndicate is set up well and has the potential for a great story. Three mega-corporations, known as Syndicates, battle for power by any means necessary. The year is 2069 and politicians are no more. Now the world is controlled by the mega-corporations, who control and manipulate populations via neural chip implants.

   The chips were intended to revolutionise the ways in which consumers interact with corporations throughout their daily lives. However the neural chips became just a way of linking everyone in the world together in a gigantic network.

   You play Miles Kilo, an agent of a mega-corporation Eurocorp. Kilo is kitted with bio-engineered and chip-augmented abilities to carry out missions.

Gameplay
Syndicate feels more like an old-school shooter than one from 2012. It does have modern aspects such as rechargeable health but it still has that early nineties feel. Some might say there is nothing wrong with an older vibe going on but with all the next-gen buzz and next-gen games, Syndicate ends up feeling like it should be on the PS2 rather than the Xbox 360 or PS3.

Syndicate's DART Overlay.

   If gamers like to adapt their playing style then Syndicate may please you as each weapon will force you to play in different ways. One weapon, for example, is best utilised when shooting round corners so gamers are ushered to get into cover more.
   The enemies, that are not at all kind hearted, have seemingly impossible accuracy and wont be afraid to hurdle monstrously towards you. Expect a lot of controller smashing as the enemy gets that vital shot just as your staggering to cover.
   On top of your basic shooting gameplay is the DART overlay. Enemies can be breached, resulting in forced suicide or a weapon backfire. Turrets throughout game history have always been weak targets for hacking and in Syndicate it is no different. DART powered vision lets you see through walls and can even slow down time, creating really cool kills to watch right before you. When you get to the boss rounds you'd think all the abilities would make it easy. This sadly is not the case. Too many buttons and things to remember may give you a mental meltdown. Oh and I forgot to mention the bosses can do EVERYTHING YOU CAN! The boss battles become very frustrating, very quickly.

Verdict
Syndicate at the end of the day is an okay game. Its got a unique look with incredible graphics and sets up a good visual experience. The futuristic deadmouse-esk dupstep soundtrack running alongside significant moments in the gameplay really does make you feel like a right badass! However when the regular AI kill you over and over again the game gets tediously frustrating.

In-game HUD of Syndicate

   The story is not as strong as it could have been especially with some big name writers involved. A good story really could have propelled the game and lightened some of the shadows.
   If you have spare money around then Syndicate will provide something to do however if you want a 'top-notch' first person shooter, you should perhaps wait a little while.

Games to watch out for in 2012: Max Payne 3

Another one from Rockstar here as Max Payne gets a makeover. The game despite being pushed back a few months is one of the big releases to come this year. Sao Paulo, Brazil, provides the populated streets where gamers will take control as Max finds himself there after leaving the city life of New York. The developers have promised to deliver a cinematic, high tension, intense gameplay for the rebooted release.

Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360 & PC

Release Date: 18/05/12

Games to look out for in 2012: Last Of Us

Naughty Dog but not quite Naughty Dog, in fact a brand new branch of Naughty Dog announced the new post apocalyptic game at Spike TV Awards. A PS3 exclusive, the game will focus on the aftermath of virus outbreak. A Nathan Drake look-a-like (most probably voiced by Nolan North) and his daughter will provide gamers with characters to play. Thats all we have folks but check back soon as this release looks to be juicy!

Platforms: PS3

Release Date: 2012

Games to look out for in 2012: Ghost Recon: Future Soldier

The latest Ghost Recon game will integrate Xbox's Kinect, with body tracking and voice recognition becoming a part of gamers controls. Another addition sees gamers able to customise their weapons from the muzzle to the gas system, in the newly added 'Gunsmith' mode. You need to watch out for this game if you fancy a challenge that Ghost Recon games often provide. Any gunsmiths out there? 

Platforms: PS3, PSP, Nintendo 3DS, WII, XBOX 360 & PC
Release Date: 24/05/12

Games to look out for in 2012: Grand Theft Auto V

Its been a long wait since gamers finished sinking their teeth into the wonderfully beautiful Liberty City, four years to be precise. Grand Theft Auto V is the latest blockbuster game to come from the Rockstar franchise but sadly what we know at the moment is very limited. The setting is a newly imagined San Andreas... and thats about it folks! What we are sure of though, it will be the same moral testing, rocket launching, drive by and 'kill whoever the hell you want for shits and giggles' badass game! Cant effing wait!

Platforms: PS3, XBOX 360 & PC

Release Date: 2012

Games to look out for in 2012: SSX

A well loved franchise returns as SSX continues with the latest title. The snowboarding/ski game disappeared of the radar slightly despite relitively good reaction to SSX 3.
   If you have not played a game from the franchise before then whatch out for this one and play it! Devoted fans will tell you how much fun speeding down the virtual mountains can be. They may also tell you about the Fifa-esk renowned soundtrack (its good).

Platforms: XBOX 360 & PS3

Release Date: 02/03/12

Games to look out for in 2012: Twisted Metal

An original Playstation 1 release back in 1995, Twisted Metal sees a brand new addition to Playstation's longest running exclusive franchise. The game is known for its dark humour and destruction-derby combat and has built a fan base over the previous nine titles.   The tenth instalment will feature well known characters such as Sweet Tooth and Calypso, whether it will continue the story from previous games remains to be unknown. The big online multiple player battles and the action pumped gameplay can be expected to feature though.

Platforms: PS3
Release Date:  07/03/12

Games to look out for in 2012!

The starts of years are never really good for gaming, unless you've saved some of the Christmas period titles for the bereaved months. If, like me, you find your self with nothing new to play then take a look at some of the games to watch out for this upcoming year!

Catherine Review

Catherine is a rarely seen video game that explores the themes of adult relationships while taking a rather wacky look at intense stressful nightmares. Hold the confusion… Wait till you play it!

A nightmare sequence from Catherine.

'Catherine is a game unlike anything you have ever played.. and you probably wont play anything like it for a while'






Plot
The story in Catherine focuses on Vincent, a 30-ish guy who has been dating his girlfriend, Katherine, for roughly five years. Vincent, while at lunch, gets a double punch by his girl as she tells him a guys worst nightmare. Katherine feels the relationship isn't going anywhere and wants to get married. Vincent, instead of working things through, stumbles to his local bar. Several alcoholic drinks later and truly 'out of it', Vincent meets Catherine, who can only be described as a saucy free-thinking minx! Vincent wakes the next morning and you guessed it Catherine is asleep beside him. Lets just say they 'got it on'.

Vincent and friends at the local bar.

   Whether the one night stand is good or bad news is irrelevant for Vincent as he soon discovers that men in his neighbourhood have been dying in their sleep. The news becomes particularly interesting for him, due to nightmares frequently occurring while he sleeps. Not regular nightmares however, no, his are demonic manifestations of his real life worries that go after him up crumbling towers, threatening dismemberment.
  
Things get stranger for Vincent when acquaintances that resemble the figures in his dreams end up dead.
   Catherine does a good job as it plays around with the themes of romance which not many games have even tried or mastered yet.

Gameplay
The nigthmares provide the large majority of the gameplay and prove to be a real pain in the arse for gamers while still managing to have enjoyable qualities. Gameplay from the nightmare sequences involve the player having to move blocks and create makeshift staircases, all while the clock is counting down.
   Button bashing is a frequent symptom while the orchestral music rises a tense, panicking, 'holy shit' aura. The puzzles prove to be damn hard too with even the easiest setting becoming fairly tough to beat.
   Difficult as it is, Catherine does give those who can beat the sequences an awesome high that other games sometimes fail to perfect. The high, when achieved, is great however many frustrations will seep out of gamers as they play.
   As you make certain choices you drive the plot forward to end up at one of the multiple endings. Whether you want Vincent to stay and commit to his relationship with Katherine, have some hanky-panky with Catherine, or break away from both of them is up to you.

Verdict
   Catherine is a rare game and looks at relationships in a unique way that hasn't really been done before.
   The story is not particularly well written and the protagonist can become rather irritating, but any of the lovers out there may be able to relate and understand Vincents troubles. The game does have an ability to put a smile on your face at some points which is important as you are supposed to enjoy it.
   Overall, Catherine is no Taj Mahal and can become a bit boring at points but it is a game unlike anything you have ever played before and you probably wont play anything like it for a while. I recommend the game for the unique qualities it possesses. Be warned hot heads however it is very frustrating!

Assassin's Creed: Revelations Review

End of an era or two for the Assassin's Creed franchise as Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Altair Ibh-La'Ahad make their final journey piecing the last of the jigsaw puzzle in the latest game - Assassin's Creed Revelations. With a slightly teary eye, the fourth installment heaps justice upon the two iconic protagonists, ending their stories with a deeply satisfying game.

Gameplay
Firstly Assassin's Creed: Revelations creates a beautifully huge playground for gamers to enjoy. Feathers can be plucked up and searched for, Templars and Guards can be hunted and stealthily assassinated and gamers can now even defend the Assassin Den's in the newly introduced Den Defense game mode (below).
   Once more Ezio expands the Creed by recruiting residents of Constantinople who he can then send off to Europe, Africa and the Middle East on assassin missions. The budding assassins can be given such missions as bribing thugs to taking entire cities.
   Ezio's armor and arsenal stay similar to what gamers have seen  before however the addition of the Hook Blade adds something different from the previous title. Grabbing hold of  those out of reach roof ledges, zip lining from building to building and flipping over guards leaving them confused and ready for assassination, are just some of the abilities the Hook Blade can offer gamers.
   A lot of the game play has not changed however with assassinations, free running, climbing and many more features having a sense of deja vu. Some gamers may feel tiresome of the similar animations but some may still  be content with the gameplay they fell in love with from the first games.


Features
   There’s also a plot of sorts, and this is where a whole-hearted recommendation becomes a little hard to justify. This is because the game, which is by no means bad, is the latest section of a plot, which has become so barmy and convoluted by now that newcomers will battle to follow what’s going on.

Playing Assassin’s Creed: Revelations as an entry point to the series is like starting to watch The Wire with the eighth episode of the second season.

The backstory runs thus; a bartender called Desmond has been kidnapped by a secret society calling themselves the Templars.

Apparently he’s the descendent of a line of assassins and the Templars hope to access his ancestor’s memories, in order to track down some artefacts that can change the course of mankind (or something).

To that end, they stick Desmond in the Animus, a machine that allows the user to experience parts of the lifetimes of anyone who shares their DNA.

With the Animus, Desmond relives the memories of first Altair, a Medieval assassin, and then Ezio Auditore, an Italian noble who turned assassin during the Renaissance and…

…are you still following any of this? No? Good, I thought it was just me. All you really need to know is that in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, the lion’s share of your time will be spent as Ezio in Constantinople, during the time of the Ottoman Empire, with occasional visits to the Animus and the Medieval Middle East.

Verdict  
The large portion of the game involving Ezio and Altair is absolutely ace; the sections involving the 

Desmond inside Animus Limbo!

latter are a bit brief and bit tooscripted, but overall they do the job. The parts set in the future (left), where Desmond has to navigate the inside of the Animus in some sort of first-person platforming game are badly made, but thankfully they’re kept to a minimum.

The real draw, though, is Ezio, and his engrossing travails through Constantinople. Forget the convoluted story - you don’t need logic when you have bombs and a Hook Blade.